Lettera Madre Advent 2019

My dear Sisters …

CONGREGAZIONE
SUORE DELLA PROVVIDENZA ROSMINIANE
Via Aurelia, 773
ROMA

Borgomanero, Advent 2019

My dear Sisters,
At the beginning of this wonderful period of Advent, I greet you with a brief reflection!
During these days, we hear the words of the Gospel:
“Mary got up and went quickly …”
Why was Mary in a hurry?
Because at that moment she
“set out on her journey”,
a difficult journey to the mountain?
Mary hurries to her cousin because she cannot keep her great joy to herself. The words that come out of her mouth are proof of this: “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour, because he has looked upon the humility of his servant.”
We too live the same experience when we meet the living Jesus, who comes to meet us. In some way he is incarnated in us: this is what we a-wait during the time of Advent, that he comes once again into our hearts, to dwell in them.
Those who meet Jesus, like Mary, experience the need to put themselves at the service of others.
We could ask ourselves why Mary did not go to a public place, maybe to the well, to announce what had happened to her. Instead no, she hurried instinctively to the silent service of her cousin who was in need.
As we continue to understand our Christian calling – our Rosminian vocation – we want to make our love real, concrete, rather than multiplying endless practices of piety. Let us imitate the essential attitude of Mary which involves leaving our ‘comfort zone’ to come to the aid of others – in other words, loving them in reality, in a practical way with a God-given love.
Happy journey of Advent and through the new liturgical year!
With love, c.m.